Martin's MotoGP return set for Malaysian GP at the earliest

Aprilia boss Paolo Bonora has confirmed that injured factory rider Jorge Martin will miss the Australian Grand Prix in two weeks.

Martin’s latest injury drama began in the sprint race in Japan last weekend, when he lost control under braking, clattered into team-mate Marco Bezzecchi and broke his collarbone.

He subsequently missed the rest of the Motegi meeting, instead returning to Spain for surgery. The 2024 world champion remains in recovery mode as this weekend’s Indonesian Grand Prix plays out.

During practice in Lombok on Friday, team manager Bonora admitted that Martin would not be back for the Australian round at Phillip Island in a fortnight.

“The surgery was very good [but] it’s a big injury for sure. We’re checking the recovery plan with the doctor. I can confirm for sure that he will not join us at Phillip Island, unfortunately.

“We have to understand his physical situation day by day. It’s not a standard collarbone crack – [it is in] two places. So it’s necessary to wait.

Martin after the Motegi crash

Photo by: Qian Jun / MB Media via Getty Images

“A big hug to Jorge, and I’d like to say to him that the whole team is close to him at this particular moment.”

The earliest possible return date for Martin is thus the Malaysian GP the week after Australia.

MotoGP medical director Dr Angel Charte said on Friday that it would be “negligent” of him to set a firm date for Martin’s return. He did however suggest that the 27-year-old would be back at some point before the Valencia finale in November.

Martin’s 2025 season has been plagued by a series of injuries that began in pre-season testing and reached a low point when he crashed at the Qatar Grand Prix in April.

The Spaniard only began competing regularly at the Czech Grand Prix just before the summer break.